Peter Pain
Continuing our ongoing theme of strange corporate mascots: Peter Pain was the villainous mascot of Ben-Gay from 1942 to 1965. He's not to be confused with the British judge named Peter Pain. (or the dentist Dr. Pain).
Some more info about him from The Austin American (Oct 13, 1965):
Update: After posting this, I noticed that Paul had previously posted a Peter Pain ad in his Follies of the Madmen series (#404).
NY Herald Tribune - 1946 (via Duke Library)
Some more info about him from The Austin American (Oct 13, 1965):
The arch villain with the jaunty black bowler and gnashing teeth made his debut 23 years ago [1942] in a series of comic strips ads for Ben-Gay ointment. He delighted his readers by making life miserable for a succession of poor unsuspecting souls.
Peter Pain's behavior remained steadfast — he was rotten to the core. In his heyday, he threw a kleig light at a television quiz kid, pounded an umbrella into the back of a grandfather celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary, clouted a sweet little old lady with a hammer and spike and turned his pitchfork on the stomach of a nice young farmgirl.
Despite the mayhem, every adventure invariably ended happily. In each strip, someone would reach for the Ben-Gay and in no time the aches and pains of the harried souls would disappear.
"Drat, Ben-Gay," was Peter Pain's frequent lament as the episode came to an end.
Now, with the introduction of a new product (Ben-Gay Lotion), it has been announced, with regret, that the services of Peter Pain will no longer be used.
"We decided Peter Pain is not a fun guy," a Ben-Gay spokesman explained.
Peter Pain's behavior remained steadfast — he was rotten to the core. In his heyday, he threw a kleig light at a television quiz kid, pounded an umbrella into the back of a grandfather celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary, clouted a sweet little old lady with a hammer and spike and turned his pitchfork on the stomach of a nice young farmgirl.
Despite the mayhem, every adventure invariably ended happily. In each strip, someone would reach for the Ben-Gay and in no time the aches and pains of the harried souls would disappear.
"Drat, Ben-Gay," was Peter Pain's frequent lament as the episode came to an end.
Now, with the introduction of a new product (Ben-Gay Lotion), it has been announced, with regret, that the services of Peter Pain will no longer be used.
"We decided Peter Pain is not a fun guy," a Ben-Gay spokesman explained.
Chicago Tribune Magazine - 1953 (via Duke)
Austin American - Oct 13, 1965
Update: After posting this, I noticed that Paul had previously posted a Peter Pain ad in his Follies of the Madmen series (#404).
Comments
Never mind Peter Pain.
How TF did a brand called "Ben Gay" get by the American censors!?
How TF did a brand called "Ben Gay" get by the American censors!?
Posted by Richard Bos on 12/08/19 at 02:37 PM
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Category: Corporate Mascots, Icons and Spokesbeings